Detergent dispenser



Sept. 6, 1955 Filed Sept. 27, 1954 L. CSROW ET AL DETERGENT DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet l LEONARD OSROW HAROLD osRow mmvron.

BYA Q/ M Sept. 6, 1955 L. osRow ET AL DETERGENT D I SPENS ER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1954 LEONARD OSROW HAROLD OSROW INVENTOR.

w w H mv-n- B 7 ....1Ifi1---|g=% O on United States Patent C) DETERGENT DISPENSER Leonard Osrow and Harold Osrow, Queens Village, N. Y.

Application September 27, 1954, Serial No. 458,509

9 Claims. (Cl. 299-84) This invention relates to detergent dispensers for fluid lines used in washing operations. In the washing of a vehicle, dishes, etc. wherein a fluid pipeline such as a hose is used effectively, the efiiciency of the operation hinges on the method relied upon for emersing the object being washed with clear water and a water-detergent mixture alternately as desired. In the crude basic method frequently employed, the detergent solution is applied by hand from a pail filled with the solution. Obviously such a means is not satisfactory, involving tedious labor, wear and tear to the users hands and damage to ones clothing.

Various dispensers have been developed to facilitate the operation but apparently the practical solution is not yet taught. In general these known devices comprise a chamber filled with detergent carried by the tube through which flows the fluid medium. The detergent enters the tube interior upon the actuation of a manually operated valve to the open position, said valve being normally in the closed position. The satisfactory operation of such a dispenser depends upon a valve seat being formed within the walls of the tube, adequate packing for the valve stem, a convenient actuating handle and means for retaining the valve in the closed position. The proper incorporation of all these elements results invariably in a formidable, unwieldly device, much too complicated and expensive for the results desired.

Consequently it is the general object of this invention to provide a detergent dispensing unit adaptable for rapid installation into a fluid piping system including an improved valvular means simple and economic in structure for controlling the flow of detergent into the fluid stream, or for completely stopping the flow of the fluid in the pipeline by reciprocating a portion of the unit longitudinal relative to the direction of flow.

A more specific inventive object involves the provision of a detergent dispensing unit adapted for rapid installation between the ends of a fluid pipeline and a Washing appliance such as a brush or a nozzle comprising a chamber filled with the cleansing fluid and a tube through which the fluid stream flows, the chamber being longitudinally reciprocable relative to the tube to positions wherein no flow occurs through the tube, only fluid from the pipeline flows through the tube, or a mixture of detergent and fluid from the pipeline flows through the tube emerging from the washing appliance in a well dispersed foaming cleansing mixture.

A further specific inventive object comprises a fitting of the class last described wherein the various positions involved are achieved for the inter-relation of sealing surfaces between the tube and the chamber in relation to a tube perforation and a transverse sealing wall formed within the tube.

A still further specific inventive object comprises a dispensing unit of the class last describedwherein type sealing'rings are used to produce the sealing surfaces and limit indicators are provided between the cham- "ice ber and the tube notifying the user as to the location the various positions.

A still further specific inventive object comprises the provision of a detergent dispensing unit adapted for rapid installation in a fluid pipeline including a detergent filled chamber reciprocable axially relative to a tube through which the fluid stream flows to positions in which only clear water flows through the tube or in which a mixture of detergent and the washing fluid flows therethrough.

Further objects and inventive details will become more apparent from'the following detailed description when taken in connection with the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an elevation of the fitting assembly with portions in section as incorporated in a fluid pipeline, a

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken through plane 2--2 of Figure 1 with the detergent chamber sealed off from the interior of the'tube in the position designated in Figure l as closed,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the chamber containing the detergent in communication with the fluid in the tube as occurs when the device is in the position designated in Figure 1 as open, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view through a modified form of dispensing unit.

Referring now to Figure l, the dispenser unit is seen to comprise the externally threaded tube end 10 adapted for connection to a coupling 11 of a hose or other pipeline 12. The opposing end of the dispenser includes a coupling 13 attached to the tube end 13a of the'cen tral tube 14. It should be understood that the specific end fittings of the tube 14 can be varied to suit the various cc-nventionalpipeline fittings encountered in practise. Furthermore, the said end fittings are conventional and do not comprise the novelty herein involved. The entire arrangement may thus be mounted directly upon the tubular handle which acts as a conduit for a car washing brush for example. 7

The structure comprisingthe detergent container includes a concentrically arranged outer shell 15 encompassing the tube 14 to provide the detergent chamber 16. Cylindrical end 'wall or sleeve 17 is fitted within the shell end adjacent the tube end 10 and is formed with a central bore 18 through which extends the tube 14. The diameter of the bore 18 is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the tube providing a small clearance therebetween whereby the sleeve can move longitudinally of the tube 14. For sealing purposes spaced 0 rings 19 and 20 are secured within annular recesses 21 and 22 respectively, formed transversely in the inner wall of the bore 18. The 0 rings 19 and 20 are so proportioned as to fit sealingly about the tube 14 while permitting' relative axial motion between the rings and the tube. Although it is preferred to employ 0 rings for this purpose, it will be understood that similar annular sealings may be employed for this purpose although with perhaps less advantage.

Adjacent coupling 13 a second cylindrical sleeve 23 is fitted within the shell 14 and is bored similarly to'sleeve 17. Again for sealing purposes the sleeve 23 is provided with an 0 ring 24 secured in a fashion similar to the 0 rings secured to' the sleeve 17. 0 ring 24 is fitted about tube' 14 in a liquid tight fashion which permits axial motion relative to the tube 14. Both sleeves 23 and 17 are provided with outer peripheral recesses 25 and 26 of securing the shell 15 to the sleeves herein described;

Communications between the chamber 16 and the interior of tube 14 is had by the provision of hole 27 formed transversely through the wall of tube 14 adjacent sleeve 17.

Due to the spacing of rings 19 and 20, the hole 27 can be positioned between the said 0 rings thus preventing fluid flow from the chamber 16 to the tube interior.

The axial movement of the chamber assembly relative to the tube 14 is restricted by the spaced sets of annularly arranged bosses 28 and 29 formed peripherally on the tube 14. Bosses 28 and 29 project sufiiciently from the outer surface of the tube 14 to contact the sleeve surfaces 30 and 31 when the chamber assembly has axially been moved a predetermined distance. The axial positioning of the bosses is such that when sleeve 17 contacts boss 29, the hole 27 falls between 0 rings 19 and 20 corresponding to the closed position of Figure 1. Moreover, when sleeve 23 contacts boss 28, the sealing ring 19 will lie between the hole 27 and the tube end 16 corresponding to the open position of Figure 1.

Aperture 32 formed in the annular depression 34 of the shell is provided for the purposes of filling the chamber 16 with detergent. A removable cap 33 is threaded within the aperture 32 for sealing purposes. It should be noted that by placing the filling aperture 32 within a depression in the wall of shell 15, the cap 33 does not form an objectionable operating impediment.

The 0 rings can be fabricated from the conventional materials available. Shell 15, sleeves 17 and 23, and the tube 14 are in a form which can readily be fabricated from such conventional materials as plastics, metals (including brass, copper, sheet metal, etc.) wood, rubber, etc.

In operation, after filling chamber 16 with detergent, and making the necessary installations into the fluid pipeline, the shell 15 is moved, by hand, axially until sleeve 17 encounters boss 29, thereby assuming the closed position of Figure 1 in which 0 rings 19 and prevent the exit of detergent from the chamber 16. Referring to Figure 2 it is better seen that the 0 rings 19 and 2t) fit sealingly and elastically about the tube 14 preventing any axial flow along the tube exterior beyond said 0 rings 19 and 20. 'Thus it is apparent that when the device is in the closed position only clear water will flow through the tube 14.

When it is desired to provide a stream of water and detergent solution the shell 15 is moved axially until sleeve 23 contacts boss 28 thereby assuming the open position of Figure 1 in which both 0 rings 19 and 20 lie between the hole 27 and the tube end 10. In this position as better seen in Figure 2 detergent 36 can flow directly from chamber 16 into tube 14 producing 'a well mixed water-detergent solution for cleansing purposes. The detergent 36 is subjected to a turbulent elfect which produces a better admixture of water and detergent.

It is apparent that in the dispensing unit described supra the flow of detergent into the fiuid stream is eificiently controlled by the simple procedure of sliding the chamber shell axially along the tube. The manual effort involved therein is minimized, the structure is simple, compact, involves no complicated valve structure as taught in the prior art, and hence the costs of fabrication are relatively small.

In the modification of Figure 3, the previously described dispenser is rearranged to provide an additional valvular position resulting in the prevention of flow through the device. In the instant form the tube 37 extends through the centrally bored sleeves 38, 39 and 40, which are provided with the O sealing rings 41, 42, 43, 44, and in a fashion similar to the equivalent elements disclosed in connection with Figure 1. Cylindrical shell 46 is secured to the sleeves in fluid tight relationship as described in the first modification. Detergent chamber 47 is positioned between the sleeves'38 and 39 and a secondary chamber 48 is located between sleeves 39 and 40; Tranverse plug or wall 49 blocking the flow through tube 37 is provided within tube 37 adjacent the sleeve 39 and holes 50 and 51 are formed on either side of the wall 49. A third set of holes 52 are provided adjacent sleeve 38.

In operation when it is desired to prevent water from flowing through tube 37, thechamber assembly is moved to position A, whereby sleeve 40 abuts the boss 53. When so located 0 ring 44 lies between holes 50 and 51, thus water from the inlet side is prevented from entering the outlet side of the tube 37 by the O ring 44 and the wall 49.

If only clear water is desired, the shell 46 is moved to the position indicated as B wherein O ring 44 lies just to one side of holes 51 and 50. Now fluid from the inlet can by-pass wall 49 by flowing into chamber 48 via holes 50 and then into the outlet end of tube 37 via the holes 51. However, the 0 rings 44 and 43 prevent fluid from entering chamber 47.

To obtain an outflow from the dispensing unit of water and detergent, the shell 46 is slid to position C wherein sleeve 38 abuts bosses 34. When so located, both 0 rings 44 and 43 lie between holes 51 and holes 52 permitting flow from the inlet side of tube 37 to chamber 48 to the outlet side of tube 37. Furthermore, both 0 rings 42 and 41 are now downstream of the holes 52 which causes detergent from chamber 47 to enter tube 37.

It is apparent that the latter modification includes the additional shut 01f position not included in the form of Figure 1. Moreover, the new function is accomplished without losing the simple, compact and efiicient structure disclosed in relation to Figure 1.

It should be further understood that all species resulting from changes in size, shape, material and/or variations in the arrangement of the combinative elementsfall within the inventive scope, and that the device is adapted to be used for the purpose of dispensing other materials such as for example insecticides, fertilizers, and the like and the term detergent as herein employed is intended to include similar dispensable materials within the scope thereof.

We have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention. It will be apparent, however, that this invention is not limited to this embodiment and that many changes, additions and modifications can be made in connection therewith without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

Having thus described the nature of the invention what is claimed as new is:

l. A detergent dispenser including a tube adapted for connection to a fluid pipeline in combination with a concentric outer chamber axially reciprocal relative to the tube having surfaces in sealing relationship with the tube, said chamber enclosed by an outer shell and transverse walls, said tube including axially spaced perforations and a means for cutting off flow through said tube, said sealing surfaces being located relative to the perforations and the said means whereby axial movement of the chamber to one position causes complete cut-off of flow through the tube, axial movement to a second position causes flow in the tube and from the chamber to the tube and axial movement to a third position causes only flow through the tube.

2. A dispenser as in claim 1 wherein the sealing surfaces comprise spaced 0 rings carried by the transverse walls. a

3. A dispenser as in claim 2 including a second outer chamber separated axially from the first said chamber by one of said walls.

4. A dispenser as in claim 3 wherein the first said means comprises a transverse partition sealed to the inner tube surface and positioned between adjacent axially spaced perforations, one of said sealing rings being movable from a position between the last said perforations to a position downstream of both the partition and the last said perforations.

5. A dispenser as in claim 4 wherein two other of said sealing rings are positioned adjacent a third of said perforations, the last of said sealing rings being movable from a position wherein the third perforation lies between the last of said sealing rings to a position whereinthe last said sealing rings are downstream of the third perforation.

6. A dispenser including a tube adapted for insertion in a fluid pipeline, in combination with a chamber for containing a dispensable material, said chamber being mounted on said tube in an axial reciprocal manner, including means for causing fluid flow between said chamber and said tube when in one position, means for preventing flow between said tube and said chamber when in another position, said positions resulting from relative movement between the tube and the chamber, in further combination with a third means for preventing flow within the tube when the chamber is in a third position relative to the tube.

7. A dispenser including a tube adapted for connection to a fluid pipeline, in combination with a chamber encompassing a portion of the tube, said chamber being enclosed by an outer shell and the exterior surface of the tube including fluid tight sealing means between said tube and said shell, said means being in sliding relationship relative to said tube and affixed to said shell in further combination with a perforation through said tube located to communicate with the said chamber when the sealing means is in one position, the movement of the sealing means longitudinally to a second position preventing such communication, a removable cap for filling said chamber, one of said end walls including one sealing means and the other end Wall including two sealing means, said two sealing means being spaced to fall on each side of the perforation when in the first said position and both of said sealing means are arranged to lie beyond the perforation in a direction remote from the said one sealing means when in the second said position.

8. A detergent dispenser adapted for connection to a fluid line on one end and a cleansing appliance on the other end, comprising a central tube through which the fluid flows and an outer concentric chamber encompassing a portion of said tube, said chamber being enclosed by an outer concentric shell including a removable recessed cap for filling purposes, and spaced'transverse end walls, centrally bored to fit about said tube with small clearances, said walls comprising circular sealing rings secured to the inner surfaces of said bored walls and projecting inwardly to contact the'tube surface in a sliding and fluid sealing manner, whereby said shell and walls can be reciprocated longitudinally of the tube, in further combination with a transverse hole through said tube, said walls being located relative to said hole so that in one longitudinal position flow can occur between said hole and said chamber and in another position such flow being blocked off by one of said sealing rings, including limit stops restricting the said reciprocation between the two said positions, one of said walls including a plurality of spaced sealing rings positioned to lie on both sides of the hole in one of said positions.

9. A dispenser including a tube adapted for connection to a fluid pipeline, in combination with a chamber encompassing a portion of the tube, said chamber being enclosed by an outer shell and the exterior surface of the tube including fluid tight sealing means between said tube and said shell, said means being in movable relationship relative to said tube and atfixed to said shell in further combination with a perforation through said tube located to communicate with the said chamber when the sealing means is in one position, the movement of the sealing means longitudinally to a second position preventing such communication, access means for filling said chamber, one of said end walls including one sealing means and the other end wall including two sealing means, said two sealing means being spaced to fall on each side of the perforation when in the first said position and both of said sealing means are arranged to lie beyond the perforation in a direction remote from the said one sealing means when in the second said position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

